Trainer Elliott Takes Two Grade One Leopardstown Wins
Published
27 December 2025
Trainer Gordon Elliott declared 2 Grade One wins as part of a four-timer on the 2nd day of the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown on Saturday, with jockey Sam Ewing likewise winning 2 of the major races.
Elliott-trained Favori De Champdou fought back under Ewing to beat stablemate Look for Glory to win the Paddy Power Chase after Skylight Hustle had previously won the Novices Hurdle for Elliott, with Jack Kennedy the victorious jockey on that occasion.
Solness, ridden by Ewing, took success for trainer Joseph O'Brien in the Club Chase Steeplechase in the other Grade One race of the day over the Irish course.
Solness (8-1) repeated his victory of 12 months back in the very same race as he edged out Marine Nationale (2-1) by half a length.
The 2 horses were involved in a thrilling four-way fight at the front as they jumped the final fence, with Ewing's mount proving an efficient frontrunner for fitness instructor O'Brien.
Having his first race of the season, Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale conquered the problem of striking the 3rd of the 11 fences, with jockey Sean Flanagan succeeding to stay in the saddle and then get his horse into contention on the altercation.
"He is difficult as nails and he enjoys racing at Leopardstown," winning trainer O'Brien told RTE after the race.
Pre-race preferred Majborough (6-4) ended up third.
Meanwhile Skylight Hustle took full advantage after Talk The Talk fell at the last fence to clinch a success in the two-mile Novices Hurdle, the fallen horse having actually landed too steeply and not able to keep his balance.
Kennedy had actually moved the eventual winner stylishly into contention however his install looked reserved for 2nd when Joseph O'Brien's opposition accelerated remarkably to lead by half a length going to the last.
Ewing, who stepped in for the concussed JJ Slevin was on board Talk The Talk, so could have been in line for an impressive 3 Grade One triumphes in a day, having ridden Favori De Champou and Solness to triumph.
Skylight Hustle, the 3-1 favourite, got back with 5 lengths to spare over Carrigmoornaspruce (12-1), with Love Me Tender (4-1) in 3rd.
"The horse travelled like a dream the entire way and leapt like a dollar," Elliott told RTE after watching his horse Skylight Hustle pass the winning post.
"I believed looking at it live that we were beat, however when I took a look at the re-run, I wasn't sure [with] the way my lad galloped from the last to the line.
"Jack said when he was available in 'I can't I would have won but I absolutely wasn't beat'. He said he really liked the method he went from the last to the line.
"It took place to us yesterday [when El Cairos fell when in front at the last] however that's why it's called jump racing.
"He's an excellent horse and I think he'll remain further as well. I 'd envision he'll come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival."
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